Statesmen 3-2 Against NAIA’s Best at Season-Opening Tourney
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Gulf Shores, Ala.–Expectations may have heightened to near record highs after this weekend as the William Penn softball team opened its 2015 season with an impressive showing at the Gulf Shores Invitational hosted by Mobile Friday through Sunday.
On Friday, the Statesmen (3-2) defeated Campbellsville (Ky.) 6-5 and then upset #11 Belhaven (Miss.) 15-2. The team then split two games on Saturday, knocking off #24 South Carolina-Beaufort 7-3 before falling 8-0 (five innings) to #1 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.).
The squad’s 3-1 record propelled it into the single-elimination Gold bracket where it faced off against #2 William Carey (Miss.). WPU ended its successful weekend with a 7-5 setback.
WPU 6, Campbellsville 5
The Statesmen roared out of the ’15 gate with four runs in the first two innings and all six by the fourth and held off the Tigers, who are receiving votes nationally.
Chyanne Koko (Fr., Waianae, Hawaii, Business Management) delivered the big bomb in her collegiate debut, hitting a three-run home run in the second. Sydney Edwards (Sr., Galesburg, Ill., Psychology & Biology) also had a fourth-inning single that brought around two runners.
Brittanee Grove (Sr., Runnells, Iowa, Elementary Education) and Ashlee Dennis (Sr., Loveland, Colo., Biology), who scored twice, were both 2-for-3 in the season opener. Each side had seven hits.
Lunden Young (Sr., Lewiston, Idaho, Physical Education) picked up her first win of 2015, striking out nine versus one walk.
WPU 15, Belhaven 2
One of the bigger wins in school history came without much drama as the Statesmen tallied multiple runs in five innings, including six in the seventh frame. The squad outhit the Blazers 14-4, highlighted by Gabrielle Braniff (So., Olympia, Wash., General Accounting) going 4-for-5.
The trio of Bri Zerley (Sr., Monroe, Iowa, Biology), Chelsee Herron (Jr., Anaheim, Calif., Elementary Education), and Paige Miguel (Jr., Hollister, Calif., Exercise Science) were all 2-for-5. Zerley went deep as did Koko once again as both managed four RBIs. Edwards drove in two runs as well, while Herron crossed home plate on three occasions. Edwards, Grove, Miguel, and Dennis also all scored twice in the victory.
Grove accepted the run support, but it was not necessary as she permitted only four base hits. The senior also struck out six against five walks.
WPU 7, South Carolina-Beaufort 3
Despite committing five errors, William Penn cruised past the Sand Sharks to remain perfect. Zerley accounted for the first five runs with a two-run single in the first and a three-run homer in the third. She then tacked on an RBI one-bagger in the seventh for a six-RBI effort. The senior finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Edwards came around two times to match her senior teammate in a game that witnessed the navy and gold hold an 8-3 edge in hits over USC-Beaufort.
Young had another strong outing, giving up just two earned runs while picking up four strikeouts (no walks).
Auburn Montgomery 8, WPU 0
The team was saddled with its first loss against the defending national champions. Little went right as the Statesmen managed only one base knock and the Warhawks scored four runs in both the second and third innings.
Braniff had the one hit, while Grove (1-1) took the setback. She permitted seven earned runs on seven hits and had three strikeouts (four walks).
William Carey 7, WPU 5
William Penn scored early, but a six-run third inning allowed the Crusaders to take their first lead and they never gave it back.
WCU got on the board with one run in the first, but the Statesmen tallied five unanswered and led 5-1 after two innings. RBI singles came from Braniff and Jorden Steele (Sr., Tacoma, Wash., Physical Education) in the first and Grove in the second.
Unfortunately, the Crusaders owned the remainder of the contest with six in the third and three more in the sixth. WPU was outhit 9-7 and committed four fielding mistakes. Herron headlined the plate presence by going 2-for-4.
Young (2-1) lost her first decision by giving up seven earned runs (4 K, 4 BB).
Next Up: William Penn travels east to Florida to begin the second part of its spring break trip. The Statesmen will use Monday as their travel day before meeting Warner in Lake Wales, Fla. for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. (CST).
